Underwater cultural heritage in Oceania

Abstract

Underwater Cultural Heritage encompasses all traces of human existence that lie or were lying under water and have a cultural, archaeological or historical character. Over the centuries, thousands of ships, entire cities, and even landscapes have been swallowed by the waves. Their remains now constitute a precious heritage, which attracts increasing attention from the scientifi c community and the public at large. Scientists are fi nding more and more unique traces of the history of humanity under water. The oldest human remains in the Americas have been discovered in a fl ooded cave, the waters of the Mediterranean hide the remains of one of the Wonders of the World, the Pharos of Alexandria. Neanderthalian hunting grounds and painted caves have been found under water, as have been Maya sacrifi cial sites and ancient pile dwellings, and last but not least, immense and tragic shipwrecks fi re the imagination and expectation of scientists and the public.